Poster Maker: Feng Juan
Tianjin, 11 Oct (Xinhua) -- If the summer starry sky is a pastoral symphony, then the autumn starry sky is a lyrical serenade. Astronomical science experts pointed out that although the sky on autumn nights is not as lively as the summer nights, there is no shortage of points to see. "Pegasus is in the air, the Milky Way is hanging obliquely" is an important feature of the autumn starry sky, the main constellations are Pegasus, Andromeda, Perseus, Perseus and Cassiopeia.
Xiu Lipeng, director of the Tianjin Astronomical Society and an expert in astronomical science, said that after the autumn night, the main position in the sky is still the iconic constellation of summer, such as Lyra, Aquila, Cygnus, etc. near the zenith, but some representative constellations of autumn have risen from the eastern horizon, and the Milky Way has also moved from the south sky to the south-west direction, although it is not as bright as in summer, but it also has a charm.
Tianjin astrophotography enthusiast Wang Shuo photographed the "Summer Triangle" on May 4, 2014. (Photo courtesy of me)
There is a striking "Spring Triangle" in the spring starry sky, a conspicuous "Summer Triangle" in the summer starry sky, and a striking "Autumn Quadrilateral" in the autumn starry sky.
"This quadrilateral consists of the three stars of Pegasus α, β, gamma and α of Andromeda. These 4 stars in ancient China belonged to two stars: wall and room, the east side of the two are wall one and wall two, the west side of the two are room one and room two, the brightness is about 2, if the weather is good, it is still easy to identify. Xiu Lipeng said.
Guangxi astrophotography enthusiast Wang Jin photographed the autumn starry sky on October 21, 2020 in the climbing town of Mashan County, Nanning, Guangxi, "Pegasus in the sky, the Milky Way hanging obliquely" is clearly visible. (Courtesy of me)
Extending north from the connection between Wall 1 and 2, you can see the obvious Constellation Cassiopeia, whose 5 2nd magnitude bright stars can be connected into an English letter "w", the opening is facing the North Star, and the Big Dipper is far away from the North Star, which is very eye-catching and easy to find. Extending north from the connection between Murojuku I and Murojuku II, you can find the Cymbids.
Autumn is the season with the fewest stars in the four seasons. Extending south from the connection between Muro-2 and Murphyll, the brightest star in the autumn starry sky, the North Landing Gate in the constellation of Auercus, is about 1.2 rated bright, about the same as the darkest star in the "Summer Triangle", Tianjin IV.
Professional software simulates the autumn starry sky (partial). (Courtesy of Tianjin Science and Technology Museum)
Extending south from the connection between Wall 2 and Wall 1, you can find the stellar toast space with a brightness of magnitude 2. Below the North Gate and Toshikong, there is a star with a brightness of 2.4 magnitude, Firebird VI in the constellation Phoenix, and these three stars form the "Autumn South Triangle".
Although there are not many bright stars in the autumn starry sky, there are many famous deep space objects, such as the Andromeda galaxy m31 and the m33 windmill galaxy in triangular constellation, which are both bright and have a relatively large visual area. In addition, there are planetary nebula ngc 7293 in the constellation Aquarius, California Nebula in perseceptus, and so on. "To observe and photograph these celestial bodies, you have to use astronomical telescopes." Xiu Lipeng said.
Beijing astrophotography enthusiast Liu Renkai photographed the m33 windmill galaxy in the constellation triangular at the Galaxy Observatory in Kangbao County, Hebei Province, in August 2021. (Courtesy of me)
Autumn is bright and the wind is light, interested public may wish to find a place with a wide view, call friends and companions, and enjoy the unique charm of the autumn night sky!